politics
U.S. and Iran Report Progress on Peace Deal, Agree to Continue Technical Talks
U.S. and Iranian negotiators made encouraging progress toward a peace deal during meetings in Switzerland, mediators said. The sides established a roadmap for a final agreement within 60 days and created mechanisms to reduce the risk of incidents in the Strait of Hormuz and Lebanon.
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U.S. and Iranian negotiators made encouraging progress toward a peace deal during meetings in Switzerland and will continue technical-level discussions this week, mediators said. The parties agreed on a roadmap toward reaching a final deal within 60 days and established a communication line to avoid incidents and miscalculation, with the aim of ensuring safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, the mediators said.
They also agreed to create a de-confliction cell involving the parties and Lebanon to help ensure adherence to the cessation of military operations there.
Background to the Talks Things got off to a confusing start Sunday when Iranian media reported that Iran halted talks over a U.S. threat. Rumors that the Iranian delegation had left the talks proved false, and discussions continued. President Trump said in a social media post that he would strike Iran again if it does not immediately stop its proxies in Lebanon from causing trouble.
He also warned Iran that the U.S. might start collecting tolls if there is no deal. Speaking Sunday to Fox News, Trump said he told Iranian leaders directly that if they close the Strait of Hormuz, they will not make it back to Iran.
Iran's parliament speaker rejected U.S. threats and said Iran does not attach any significance to them. Iran also said it will end talks with the U.S. if Israel does not leave Lebanon. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X that tireless Pakistani and Qatari mediation has delivered major progress to end the Lebanon war.
The post said oil and petrochem exports are waived, the blockade is lifted, some frozen assets are released, and a major reconstruction and development plan is launched for Iran.
Bloomberg reported that the nuclear file was not dealt with in the engagement. Pakistan said the U.S. and Iran agreed on reduction of enriched uranium levels from 60 percent to 0.7 percent. A correspondent on the ground noted that the timeline for reaching a final deal is tight, citing the 597 days it took to complete the previous interim nuclear agreement.
